EAT, DRINK, AND BE FROM MISSISSIPPI: A Novel

Nanci Kincaid's fifth novel, "Eat ,Drink , and be from Mississippi" (emphasis on "from") is a departure from her earlier works in both the setting and the gender of the narrator. Previously, Kincaid has told her stories from a female perspective and has set them almost exclusively in the deep south. In her latest novel, the protagonist is male (Truely Noonan), and by page 39 the mis en scene has moved from Hinds County, Mississippi, to the Bay Area of California. What remains constant, however, is Kincaid's sure and distinctive voice and her persistent themes: the depth and complication of family ties, what it means to be from the South, and the complex issue of race relations. A powerful sense of place always imbues all of Kincaid's works, even when the place is as far away from Mississippi as California.Rooted in Mississippi but played out in California and projected against the backdrop of the war in Iraq while dancing delicately on the shifting carpet of race, "Eat Drink and Be From Mississippi" is another gem of a novel from a gifted story teller. Entertainment Weekly says Nanci Kincaid's prose "hooks you good and pulls you in." And The Washington Post writes "This novel isn't, in the end, so much about Mississippi as it is about our American future, and on that subject it is decidedly and sweetly optimistic."Read the complete review at[...]

Expected a great story after reading another one of her books that was excellent. I was hoping for a good old’ Southern story with great characters. These characters were ridiculous; read like a high school paper. I‘ll read more of her books hoping they are far better than this one.

This book started out good reading while they were still in Mississippi. But as the main characters grew up the story became disjointed and a bit reminiscent of a rough draft. Too many silly details. It was almost like Ms. Kincaid had to meet a deadline so she hurried up to finish it.

This is the third book I've read by Nanci Kinkaid and I've really enjoyed every one of them. She is a good writer who is able to capture your attention and hold it for the entire book. Highly recommend.

This is a wonderful story set in Mississippi and a good read.The writer makes you feel like you in the story with them.Enjoyed the book. Delivery was fast.